MLB Player News

Cortes will start Friday's game against the Astros, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Yusei Kikuchi was scratched from his scheduled start with neck spasms shortly before first pitch, so Cortes will step in on short notice. The southpaw hasn't pitched more than two innings in any of his relief appearances this season, and it's unclear how big a workload he'll be able to handle in Friday's contest. Cortes carries a 7.36 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 7.1 innings to begin the season.

Kikuchi was scratched from his scheduled start Friday with neck spasms, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi was scratched with approximately half an hour remaining until the first pitch, and Nestor Cortes will step in as an emergency starter against the Astros. The severity of the issue is unclear, and whether Kikuchi misses any additional time remains to be seen.

Odorizzi will start Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Royals on Saturday after Friday's contest was postponed, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Friday's contest was postponed due to rain, but Odorizzi will still be ready to start to open the series against Kansas City. He'll take the mound for the first of the seven-inning contests Saturday with Jose Berrios starting Game 2. Odorizzi allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings in his season debut.

Hill (shoulder) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Hill threw five scoreless innings in his lone start of the year before landing on the injured list with shoulder soreness. The fact that he's already throwing 60 pitches seems to suggest that he'll be back soon, something he's reportedly pushing for.

Nicasio's contract was selected by the Rangers on Saturday.

The 33-year-old will be pitching in his 10th big-league season when he eventually makes his season debut. He owns a mediocre 4.64 career ERA and posted a 4.75 ERA in 47.1 innings for the Phillies last season.

Morton (shoulder) felt good during a throwing session Friday and could throw a bullpen Saturday or Sunday at the team's alternate training site in Port Charlotte, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander was placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation Monday, but he appears to be making steady progress. Morton was already throwing from 120 feet by Thursday, and manager Kevin Cash mentioned Friday that Morton gave him the "thumbs up" with regards to his latest session. The 30-year-old could potentially be activated when first eligible Thursday if he continues trending in the right direction.

Clevinger was reinstated from the restricted list and optioned to Cleveland's alternate training site Friday.

The move is a disciplinary one, as Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac had previously been placed on the restricted list after the pair went out with friends in violation of the league's health and safety protocols last week. Both were optioned Friday, and it's not clear when either is expected to return to the team.

Luzardo will start Friday against the Giants after Frankie Montas was scratched with a tight upper back.

Luzardo had been expected to start Saturday's game, though he'll be on full rest Friday, as his previous start came on Sunday. He's looked quite good through 17.1 innings this season, posting a 2.60 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

Montas was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Giants due to upper-back tightness.

The severity of the injury is not yet clear. Montas has been excellent in his first four starts this season, posting a 1.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Jesus Luzardo, who had been expected to start Saturday, will start Friday in his place.

Means (not injury related) could start Sunday against the Nationals, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Means was placed on the bereavement list last week and subsequently moved to the injured list while going through intake testing protocols. He allowed six runs on just four hits in seven innings of work in his first two starts of the year.